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Photo credit: Jane G Photography

Photo credit: Jane G Photography

58-Keelin Winters Pattillo, on dealing with pressure, overcoming burn-out, and living in a campervan while playing pro soccer

April 08, 2020 by Kendall Johnson in Podcast

In this episode, I interview firefighter, former professional soccer player, and farmer Keelin Winters Pattillo. 

Keelin is a force of nature. It appears as though everything she touches turns into a success. I believe Keelin accomplishes whatever she puts her mind to because she’s one the most disciplined people I know. 

Keelin grew up living in a multitude of cities around the US, as her father was a NBA coach and was constantly on the move. Although her 5 siblings chose to dedicate themselves to basketball, the sport wasn’t physical enough for Keelin. So, she chose to play soccer. 

Keelin went on to play at University of Portland, earning West Coast Conference Player of the Year. She won a goal medal in the U-20 World Cup. She was drafted 6th overall in the WPS to the Boston Breakers. She’s played overseas with FFC Turbine Potsdam in Germany and the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia. She played four years with Seattle Reign FC, winning two NWSL Shields, for finishing 1st in regular season play. She also earned a contract with full US national team. 

On most of those teams, she wore the captains armband, a testament to Keelin’s supreme focus and leadership skills. 

In this episode we talk about:

  • why she chose to spend her honeymoon with her wife Paige living in a camper van while playing in Australia

  • what it was like having five siblings, a disciplinarian mom, and an NBA-coaching dad

  • how she’s in even better shape than when she was playing professionally because of living on a farm

  • her decision to get dreadlocks in college and how they helped her find herself 

  • the make-you or break-you pressure of US national team camp 

  • why she retired even though she was in her prime

  • the advice her sports psychologist gave her that helped immensely when she was feeling burnt out 


And more! 

Listen on iTunes HERE 



Resources

Follow Keelin on instagram HERE

Join Friday Feelz HERE

A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE

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    Thanks for being here <3

April 08, 2020 /Kendall Johnson
Keelin Winters, Womens soccer, female athlete, podcast, Seattle Reign
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Praise

“There isn’t anything Kendall does without pouring everything she has to offer into it. She cares enough to not be scared to say what you might not always want to hear. She’s already been a great mentor. She is someone I admire so much. She doesn’t make excuses and will achieve what she is after.”
— Allie Long, USWNT World Cup Champion
“Few people have positively impacted me on or off the field as much as Kendall. She has a unique ability to help elevate all of the lives she comes in contact with. Through her own pursuits, triumphs, and trials, she has accumulated a wealth of different approaches to professional and personal growth. It is impossible to spend time with her and not walk away as a better version of yourself.”
— Michelle Betos, NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year
“In the world of professional athletes, you are surrounded by self-motivated people who are all working to a varying degree of “obsessive” to push themselves as hard and far as they can physically, mentally, and psychologically go. This doesn’t even begin to describe Kendall’s approach to all aspects of life. She lets nothing slip through the cracks and has a natural ability to put her passion to practice. Anyone who sits down in a conversation with Kendall will leave smarter, challenged, and with their perspective on life considerably altered.”
— Emily Menges, NWSL Champion
“I met Kendall at a challenging time in my life, and from the start, I felt comfortable sharing those challenges with her. After I first opened up to her about it, it was easy from then on out because she always helped me see my feelings are valid; my experiences and my story are my own, and I can make them to be what I want. She helped me find the beauty in times of struggle and she somehow managed to respond to my life hurdles, and her own, with an open mind and a good laugh. She has helped me to believe life works for us, not against us, and my life has become better for that. She is an amazing teacher.”
— EJ Proctor, Duke goalkeeper

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